Green & Happy Cats

If you’re one of America’s 38 million cat owners, make sure your favorite feline joins the green movement.

“We love our pets, and just as we work to make our lives environmentally sensible, we can adopt greener pet-care habits to better care for our pets’ health and environment,” says Jill Cordes (right), host of Petstyle.com, the nation’s first broadband pet channel.

Don’t court fungi and other nasty organisms. Your cat should have fresh water and food each day to protect against potential diseases, insects and other pest infestations. Filtered tap water is better for you and your cat, as you’ll avoid throwing away plastic bottles or exposing your pet to contaminants from the bottle.

Recycle household items by turning them into play toys. Roll a pair of old gloves into a tight ball. If you replace home carpet, keep a few scraps; attach them to boards for your cat to roll on, scratch and climb.

Snuggling together is probably your cat’s favorite—and most eco-friendly—time spent during the day.